Fuse



Jan. 17, 1956 c. G. KOVACIK FUSE Filed April 9, 1954 Fig. 2

Charles 6. Kovaci/r INVENTOR.

9 BY WW EMU:

United States Patent FUSE Charles G. Kovaeik, Donora, Pa., assignor of may per cent to Thomas J. Malia, Donoifa, Pa.

Application April 9, 1954, Serial No. 422,038

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-129) This invention relates to fuse plugs and more particularly to a fuse plug having a renewable fusible element.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a fuse plug having a fuse cap which is provided with a fusible element embedded therein, the fuse cap being readily replaced when the fusible element has been blown.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for securing the cap to the body of the fuse plug in a novel manner using a snap action.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a fusible plug which includes a substantially transparent cap so that the fusible link incorporated in the cap can be readily observed while also enabling the cap to have the snap sections embedded therein so that the device when completed consists of only two parts, the fuse body and the cap, the fuse body remaining at all times screwed into electrical contact with the fuse socket while the cap is readily replaceable.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a fuse plug that is strong and durable, simple in construction and manufacture, capable of being readily utilized in lieu of existing conventional fuse plugs, and which is extremely safe to utilize.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this fuse plug, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fuse plug comprising the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the cap portion of the fuse plug;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the body comprising one of the portions of the fuse plug; and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the fuse plug as taken along the plane of line 44 in Figure 1.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral generally designates the fuse plug comprising the present invention. This fuse plug 10 includes a body 12 of a suitable insulating material having a fixed terminal 14 at the lower end thereof and having an outer external conductive threaded sleeve forming the other terminal of the fuse plug 10. The body 12 is further provided with a pair of recesses as at 18 and 20 therein and snap sections 22 and 24 are embedded in the body 12 with the upper portions thereof projecting into the recesses 18 and 20.

it is to be noted that the snap sections 22 and 24 are of greater dimensions in cross section at the upper exposed portions thereof rather than at the lower portions. A conductor 26 interconnects the snap section 22 with the sleeve 16, while a conductor 28 interconnects the terminal 14 and the snap section 24.

Secured to the body 12 within the recesses 18 and 20 2,731,528 Patented Jan. 17, 1956 are resilient pads of rubber or like material which are generally indicated by reference numerals 30 and 32. These pads are apertured and the snap sections 22 and 24 have their upper portions thereof extending therethrough.

A cap of electrically insulative material indicated by reference numeral 34 forms the other major portion of the fuse plug E0. The cap 34 may be of a suitable sub stantially transparent material so that the fusible link 36 can be readily perceived. The exterior configurations of the cap 34 are of such nature that an enlarged upper portion 38 is provided which can be readily grasped so that the cap 34 can be removed from the body 12. The cap 34 is provided with a pair of projections 3% and 40 which are adapted to align with and seat in the recesses 18 and 20. Embedded in the projections 38 and 40 are snap sections 42 and 44 which are hollow in configuration and which have a plurality of fingers 46 and 48 adapted to resiliently embrace and lockingly engaged by means of snap action the snap sections 22 and 24. The fingers 46 and 48 are formed by slots in the hollow cylindrical configuration of the snap sections 42 and 44. The slots are indicated by reference numerals 50 and 52. The fusible link 36 interconnects the snap sections 42 and 44.

When the cap 34 is positioned so that the snap sections 42 and 44 overlie and resiliently engage the snap sections 30 and 32, the projections 38 and 40 will bear against and compress the resilient pads 3i) and 32. This will assure that the resilient fingers will continuously engage the upper portions of the snap sections 22 and 24 thus assuring a complete operative electrical circuit from the terminal 14 through the conductor 28 through the snap section 24 and the snap section 44 through the fusible link 36 and the snap section 42 to the snap section 22 and thence through conductor as to the sleeve 16.

Should the fuse be subjected to an excessive power surge, the fusible link 36 will become blown thus disrupting the electrical circuit. When it is desired to replace the fusible link 36 it is merely necessary to pull upon the cap 34 and replace it with a like cap thus restoring the operative electrical circuits giarded by the fuse plug 10.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A fuse comprising a body of insulating material having a first terminal at one end and an external threaded sleeve forming a second terminal, a pair of spaced recesses in the upper face of said body, a first pair of electrical conductive snap sections embedded in said body having portions thereof extending into said recesses, conductors interconnecting said first and second terminals with said snap sections, a cap of insulative material having a pair of projections on the lower face thereof, and a second pair of snap sections embedded in said projec tions, said second pair of snap sections being hollow and adapted to receive and resiliently engage said first pair of snap sections with said projections being received in said recesses, and a fusible link interconnecting said snap sections, said fusible link being embedded in said cap, and resilient pads in said recesses, said first pair of snap sections extending upwardly through said pads, said projections engaging said pads.

2. A fuse comprising a body of insulating material having a first terminal at one end and an external threaded sleeve forming a second terminal, a pair of spaced recesses in the upper face of said body, a first pair of electrically conductive snap sections embedded in said body having portions thereof extending into said recesses, conductors interconnecting said first and second terminals with said snap sections, a cap of insulative material having a pair of projections on the lower face thereof, and a second pair of snap sections embedded in said projections, said second pair of snap sections being hollow and adapted to receive and resiliently engage said first pair of snap sections with said projections being received in said recesses, and a fusible link interconnecting said snap sections, said fusible link being embedded in said cap,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,488,420 Watts Mar. 25, 1924 1,509,702 Berrian Sept. 23, 1924 2,072,290 Bauman Mar. 2, 1937 2,204,948 Pond June 18, 1940 

